08/24/2006
Riding the crest of the wave
I think I make a reasonable effort to keep pace with technology trends. Certainly, I like to know what geek-toys are out there, whether I own them. Mostly, I try to keep the big picture in mind of what's happening and what might be coming along.
On the other hand, while I've been aware of social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, I've not paid much attention. Neither have I really gotten into open-source applications like OpenOffice and Wiki. My job doesn't "require" it so I've been satisfied to know it's there and that it's a phenomenon. I've also taken a look at vlogs like hotair. Don't want to miss something important, mind you.
But yesterday I surfed by fastcompany.com and watched this video on Web 2.0. I was somewhat blown away by the number of new technologies (Ajax, for example. Okay, it's not really a new technology.) and the ways they are being used. Or maybe it's the proliferation of new websites. I don't know. There's a lot going on that I don't need, haven't really pursued, and can live without. But I'm thinking there is a trend building that will affect my life - and my kids' lives - and my grand-kids lives (way, way down the road) in ways I haven't really thought about.
These technologies are morally neutral as far as I can tell. It is what people do with them that makes them good or bad. For example, our IS Manager brought the subject of a work-Wiki up in a meeting the other day. He's mentioned it before, but I am starting to see how we can use it at work. There are some exciting possibilities there.
In other news, I just finished reading Glenn Reynolds' "An Army of Davids". Glenn is a libertarian and it comes through in his writing, in the book, on instapundit.com, on glennreynolds.com, etc. I thought he strayed from his thesis a few times, and for some of his predictions (like the Singularity), well, let's just say I'm in a wait-and-see mode.
That's all for now.
12:05 Posted in Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
08/22/2006
It's late August and I really should be back at school
Or at least my kids are. Youngest started Kindergarten yesterday. First day is traditionally a half-day just about everywhere, and our district is no exception. Some school districts have half-day kindergarten, but not ours. They go all day.
I went to work a little late to get the obligatory first-day photos. Happy, upbeat, fun are all words I'd use to describe Youngest's mood. I wasn't there when she came home, having gone to work and all. Wonderful Wife could tell that things weren't quite copacetic when the kids got off the bus. There is the instant uncertainty - "Should I be worried?" "Did something happen at school?" "Is she sick?". A quick check of the forehead revealed we had a little inferno on our hands. Clear liquids, STAT! 100 MG Tylenol ASAP! Monitor body temperature.
She's been a trooper, that little one. Basically happy even though she's hot enough to melt microchips. Or Dell laptop batteries supplied by Sony. We're keeping the fluids and fever reducers going. Appetite is good. Energy not too bad.
You love your kids, you know, and you'd trade places with them in a heartbeat when they're sick.
22:24 Posted in About Life | Permalink | Comments (0)